Apparatus for discharging material to a location

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for discharging material, as feed, to a location having a plurality of end-to-end pan sections. An elongated belt slidably located on the upper surfaces of the pan sections is moved to carry material to the location. The pan sections have adjacent ends. A transverse member located between and mounted on each adjacent end of the pan sections elevates portions of the belt from the upper surfaces of the pan sections. A power sweep operates to move material from the belt to the desired location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 436,901,filed Jan. 28, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,902,592.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to material dispensing apparatus. Moreparticularly, the invention is directed to a belt-type feeder fordispensing an elongated ribbon of feed into a livestock feeding bunk.

2. Prior Art

Feeders having movable endless belts and means to remove feed from thebelts are known. A belt-type feeder having a transversely movable sweepmember to push the material from the belt into a feed bunk is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 3,759,227. The belt rides on an elongated metal pan. Inuse, the belt will stick to the pan when it is wet or damp. The moisturecreates a suction force which must be overcome to move the belt relativeto the pan. In cold weather the belt will freeze to the pan, making thefeeder inoperative.

This feeder has a downwardly directed actuator paddle which operates aswitch in response to the material on the belt. The material is placedin a relatively narrow windrow on the belt so that it will be alignedwith the paddle. In the event that the material is not positioned on thebelt in alignment with the paddle, the paddle will not be actuated andthe sweep mechanism will not operate to remove the material from thebelt.

The sweep mechanism of the feeder is mounted on angularly movable armsso that the sweep has an arcuate movement toward and away from thehopper. On the return movement of the sweep, the material carriedforward by the belt is pushed off the opposite side of the belt, therebycreating a pile of material adjacent the hopper. The sweep must bealternately parked on opposite sides of the belt to prevent buildup ofmaterial on one side of the belt. The present invention overcomes thedisadvantages of this belt-type feeder.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is directed to a material dispensing apparatus having amoving conveyor operable to carry material in an elongated path. A sweepmeans is movable relative to the conveyor to remove the material in ageneral lateral direction from the conveyor to a material receivinglocation. A motor is operable to move the sweep means. The conveyor isan elongated endless belt which rides on a pan. A plurality oflongitudinally spaced, transverse strip means are mounted on the panunder the belt to minimize surface tension and prevent freezing of thebThe strip means provides the feeder with a relatively low startingtorque, permitting the use of a longer feeding belt.

A feed responsive control mechanism is operable to actuate the motor formoving the sweep means. The control mechanism includes a pair of sensingmeans located over the belt and projected toward the sweep means so thatlocation of feed on the blet is not critical to its operation. Thesensing means are pivoted about generally upright axes so that they aresensitive to feed located on all areas of the belt. The sensing meansare connected together with a biasing means so that a substantiallyequal biasing load is applied to the sensing means. The material on thebelt is not required to be in any particular location or on a window toactuate the sensing means. The control mechanism is flexible in use asseveral feed lot arrangements, as one, two, three or more, can beserviced with the use of control switches.

A control means cooperates with the sweep means to hold the material onthe forward end of the conveyor during operation of the sweep means, tothereby prevent buildup of material on the non-feeding side of theconveyor during return movement of the sweep means. The control meanshas a member connected to the sweep means and means operable to changethe location of the forward end of the member relative to opposite sidesof the hopper so that the control means is selectively usable with theoperation of the sweep means from either side of the belt.

An object of the invention is to provide a belt feeder with meansassociated with the belt to minimize freezing of the belt to its supportand reduce the coefficient of friction between the belt and the support,thereby providing the belt with low starting torque. A further object ofthe invention is to provide a material dispensing apparatus with amaterial responsive control means that is sensitive to feed located inall areas of a moving conveyor and that can be selectively used todeposit material on opposite or both sides of the conveyor and intoseveral feed lot arrangements. A still further object of the inventionis to provide a feeder with a sweep to remove material from a conveyorwith a control operable to hold the material on the forward end of theconveyor during operation of the sweep. Yet another object of theinvention is to provide a control for the forward end of a laterallymovable sweep that is usable with selective opposite movements of thesweep.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a belt feeder of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the actuator control of thefeeder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partly sectioned, of the control for thesweep end positioner adjacent the forward end of the sweep;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic layout of the feeder of the invention in afeed lot;

FIG. 11 is an electromechanical view of the control for the feeder ofFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the feeder of the invention in a twofeed lot arrangement;

FIG. 13 is an electromechanical diagrammatic view of the control for thefeeder of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the feeder of the invention in a threefeed lot arrangement;

FIG. 15 is an electromechanical diagrammatic view of the control for thefeeder of FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is an electromechanical diagrammatic view of the control systemfor the sweep end positioner.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a material handling apparatusindicated generally at 20 for conveying and discharging a linear ribbonor row of particulate material to a desired location, as elongated feedbunk 21. The material handling apparatus 20 and feed bunk 21 aresupported on a generally horizontal surface 22, such as the ground or afeed lot surface. Material handling apparatus 20 is hereinafter definedas a livestock feeder operable to discharge livestock feeds in anelongated ribbon or row into a feed bunk. The material handlingapparatus 20 can be used in other material handling systems to dischargeparticulate or bulk materials into a desired location.

Apparatus 20 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced frame assembliesindicated generally at 23 for supporting the apparatus on the surface 22at a selected height. Frame assemblies 23 are identical in structure andcomprise a pair of upright side members 24 connected together with apair of horizontal members 26. Downwardly directed legs 27 are mountedon the upright side member 24. The legs 27 are adjustable in lengthrelative to side members 24 so that the frame assemblies can be adjustedto accommodate the contour of the surface 22 and thereby level apparatus20. Legs 27 can extend upwardly to suspend the frame assemblies fromoverhead structures. The frame assemblies 23 have generally horizontalplates 28 secured, by means of welds, to inside portions of the sidemembers 24.

An elongated generally horizontal pan indicated generally at 29 isattached to plates 28 with a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 34, asshown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, pan 29 has an elongatedgenerally horizontal top wall 31. Downwardly directed side flanges 32and 33 are joined to the side side edges of wall 31 and terminate ininwardly directed ribs 36 which rest on the horizontal member 26. Pan 29is fabricated from sheet metal in sections of standard length, forexample, 10 feet. As shown in FIG. 3, adjacent sections are aligned inend-to-end relationship with the top walls 31 and 31A located ingenerally the same horizontal plane. The adjacent pan section 29A isidentified with the same reference numerals having the suffix A.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, pan 29 supports an endless belt 37. Belt 37is trained about an idler roller 38 rotatably mounted on the forward endof the first frame assembly and a drive roller 39 rotatably mounted onthe last frame assembly. A belt and pulley power transmission 41 isconnected to drive roller 39 and driven with an electric motor 42. Onoperation of electric motor 42, the endless belt 37 moves in anelongated direction, as shown by arrow 43. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the upper run 37A of the belt rides on the top wall 31 of the pan. Thelower run 37B is located under the top wall 31 and rides on the ribs 36.

Transverse spacers indicated generally at 44 are located betweenadjacent pan sections, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The transverse spacers44 are elongated plastic members which function as scrapers for thebottom side of the top run 37A of the belt and hold the top rung spacedfrom the top walls 31 and 31A. Transverse spacers 44 provide spaces atintervals along the pan 29 below the belt which minimizes freezing andadhesion of the belt to the top wall 31 of the pan 29 and remove foreignmaterial from the bottom of the top run of the belt.

The transverse spacers 44 are elongated plastic members made of Nylon orlike material. Each spacer comprises an elongated bead 45 projectedabove the plane of the top wall 31. Bead 45 has a round outer surface 46adapted to be engaged by the bottom surface of the top run 37A of thebelt. The spacer 44 has a pair of side or lateral grooves 48 and 49along opposite sides thereof accommodating adjacent transverse edges ofthe top walls 31 and 31A. The grooves 48 and 49 are spaced from eachother with a neck 51 joined to an enlarged transverse base 52. As shownin FIG. 4, the ends 53 and 54 of the base 52 engage side flanges 32 and33, respectively, to thereby hold the spacer 44 in fixed assembledrelation with the pan 29.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, hopper 56 is located over the forwardportion of the belt 37. Hopper 56 has an open top and open bottom 57whereby material 58, as feed, can be placed into the hopper 56. The beltcarries the feed from the hopper in an elongated ribbon or row along thelength of the feeder. The material 58 is a continuous ribbon so long asthere is a supply of material in the hopper 56.

The ribbon of material on the top of belt 37 is pushed off one side ofthe belt simultaneously into the bunk 21. An elongated longitudinalsweep indicated generally at 61 is movable in a generally lateraldirection to push or sweep the ribbon of material 58 into the bunk. Adrive assembly indicated generally at 62 is operable to sequentiallymove the sweep 61. A switch mechanism indicated generally at 63 locatedadjacent the terminal end of the feeder is operable in response to feedon the belt to actuate the drive assembly and thereby move the sweep 61to dispense the ribbon of material into the bunk 21.

Sweep 61, shown in FIG. 6, comprises an elongated support or bar 64. Agenerally flat flexible sheet member 66 is attached to a lower portionof bar 64 with fasteners 67, such as bolts or rivets. The flexible sheetmember 66 can be rubber, canvas or plastic material which has anelongated linear bottom edge positioned in contiguous relationship withthe top surface of belt 37. Sweep 61 moves in an arcuate path, asindicated by arrow 68 in FIGS. 1 and 5, as it moves across the belt 37.The sweep 61 is supported on a plurality of crank arms 69. The apex ormidportions of the crank arms 69 are pivotally connected to centersections of the horizontal frame members 26 with generally uprightpivots 71. The outer end of one arm of the crank arm 69 is connectedwith an upright pivot 72 to the bar 64. The outer end of the other armof the crank arm 69 is attached to a connector 73 carrying an elongatedlongitudinal push rod 74. Push rod 74 is connected to all of the crankarms 69 through connectors 73. Connectors 73 have upright pivots whichallow the crank arm to arcuately move to swing the sweep 61 over the toprun of belt 37.

Drive assembly 62 is operable to move the push rod 74. Drive assembly 62is mounted on a generally horizontal support 76 carried by the framemembers 23. A motor 77, as an electric motor, mounted on the support 76is drivably connected to a gear box 78 with a belt and pulley drive 79.The gear box 79 has an arm 81 located below support 76. Arm 81 angularlymoves about an upright axis and is pivotally connected with a pivot 82to the push rod 74. Operation of gear box 78 will angularly move the arm81, to thereby angularly move the crank arms 69. This swings the sweep61 relative to belt 37, discharging the feed into the feed bunk 21.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the switch mechanism 63 comprises a pair ofupright side members 83 and 84 attached to the frame of the feeder. Agenerally horizontal plate or sensor member 86 projects inwardly fromthe side member 83 toward the sweep 61. Plate 86 is secured by welds orthe like to an upright rod 87. The lower end of rod 87 is rotatablymounted in a sleeve 88 secured to the lower flange of side member 83.The upper end of rod 87 extends through a suitable hole in a horizontalbracket 89 secured to the side member 83. The rod 87 is rotatable abouta generally upright axis, whereby the plate 86 can swing in a horizontalplane. A horizontal arm 91 extends from the outer end of plate 86. Arm91 has a longitudinal slot 92 accommodating fasteners 93, as nut andbolt assemblies, to adjustably mount the arm on the end of plate 86. Arm91 has a rearwardly turned or curved end 94 located in slidingengagement with the side of sweep 61. Arm 91 is adjustable in lengthestablishing a space 97 between the end of plate 86 and sweep 61. Theplate 86 has a lower edge 95 that is spaced a short distance or space 96above the top run of belt 37. Plate 86 is located at a rearward ordownstream angle across the belt so that feed on the belt, regardless ofits transverse location on the belt, will pivot the plate 86 to actuatea switch 98.

Secured to the bracket 89 is a microswitch 98 having a movable actuator99. Bracket 89 has a plurality of elongated slots 101 accommodatingbolts 102 to adjustably mount the switch 98 on the bracket 89. An arm103 is secured to the rod 87 and extends outwardly adjacent switch 98.Arm 103 is adapted to engage actuator 99 on pivotal movement of plate 86in a forward direction. Switch 98 can be mounted adjacent the oppositesides of arm 103 so that arm 103 will engage actuator 99 on pivotalmovement in a rearward direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5.

Switch mechanism 63 has a second actuator or sensor plate 86A located onthe opposite side of sweep 61. The plate 86A is similar in constructionto the mechanism on the opposite side of the plate. Identical parts areidentified with the same reference numeral having the suffix A. Arms 103and 103A are connected with a spring 104 and chain 106. The spring 104has a hook 107 connected to the outer end of arm 103. The chain 106 isconnected to the opposite end of the spring 104 and has a hook 108connected to the outer end of arm 103A. The spring 104 biases sensingplates 86 and 86A toward each other with the same force and intoengagement with opposite sides of the sweep 61. The spring 104connecting the sensing plates 86 and 86A applies equal force to andcoordinates the actuation of switches 98 and 98A to control theoperation of the sweep drive motor 77. By acting on both plates 86 and86A, spring 104 provides the plates with substantially the sameoperational sensitivity whereby the switch mechanism 63 operates thesame with feed on either side of sweep 61.

Throwback or pileup of feed on the opposite side of the feeding locationis prevented with an automatic feed control unit, or sweep endpositioner, indicated generally at 111. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thefeed control unit 111 comprises a diverter 112 in the form of apivotally mounted sweep section which prevents feed from moving onto thebelt behind sweep 61 as the sweep 61 moves to discharge the ribbon offeed from the side of belt 37. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, diverter 112comprises an elongated support or bar 113. Downwardly extended flexiblesheet member 114 is attached to the bar 113 with a plurality offasteners 116, as rivets, bolts or the like. The downstream or rear endof diverter 112 is pivotally connected with an upright pivot 117, shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, to the front end of sweep 61. This end of diverter 112will move with sweep 61.

The front or forward end of diverter 112 is connected to a crankindicated generally at 118. The midsection or apex of crank 118 ismounted on a downwardly extended pivot 119. Pivot 119 is attached to themidsection of the cross frame member 26. Crank 118 has a first arm 121carrying at its outer end a generally upright pin 122. As shown in FIG.8, pin 122 is connected a generally U-shaped slide 123. Slide 123 islocated in the channel of the bar 113 whereby the bar 113 canreciprocate relative to the pin 122 as the diverter 112 pivots about theupright axis of pin 122. Crank 118 has a second arm 124 connected to apower transmitting linkage indicated generally at 126. A motor 127, asan electric motor, drives the linkage 126 to angularly move the crank118 to change the position of the pin 122 to either the right side ofthe belt, as shown in broken lines, or the left side of the belt, shownin full lines, depending on the direction of feeding of the sweep 61.Motor 127 is carried by a generally horizontal support 128 attached toframe 26 with fasteners 129, as U-bolts.

Power transmitting linkage 126 is connected to the output shaft 131 ofthe motor and comprises a plate or trip member 133 carryingdiammetrically opposed cams 134 and 136. Cams 134 and 136 sequentiallymove into operative engagement with a microswitch 137. The microswitch137 has a movable actuator 138 which is sequentially engaged by cams 134and 136, respectively, to terminate the power to the motor 127. As shownin FIG. 9, an arm 139 is attached to trip member 133. The outer end ofthe arm 139 is pivotally connected to a link 141 with a pivot 142. Theopposite end of link 141 is pivotally connected with pivot 143 to thesecond arm 124 so that rotation of arm 139 about the axis of the outputshaft 131 will oscillate the crank 118 to change the position of the pin122 to either the right or left side of the belt.

Referring to FIG. 16, the electromechanical diagrammatic view of thecontrol system for the diverter 112 includes a main control switch 144operable to connect the power source 146 to the motor 127. Switch 144 iscontrolled with a solenoid relay 147. Relay 147 also controls a switch148. Switch 148 is in series with microswitch 137 and a low voltagepower source 149. A manually operated switch 151 is operable to closethe circuit for the solenoid 147 and thereby close the switch 144 toenergize the motor 127. Motor 127 will turn the cams 134 and 136 tothereby permit microswitch 137 to close. This will connect the solenoid147 with the power source 149, thereby continuing the operation of motor127. Motor 127 will continue to run until one of the cams opens themicroswitch 137. Motor 127 will run until the output shaft 131 rotates360°. This motion is sufficient to change the position of the pivot pin122 from one side to the opposite side of the belt, as shown in full andbroken lines in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown apparatus 20 operable tosequentially discharge an elongated ribbon of feed to opposite sides ofthe belt 37 so that cattle can feed from both sides of the bunk in afeed lot A. The lot A is defined by a fence 152. Referring to FIG. 11,the electromechanical circuit diagram includes a magnetic relay 153 inthe power line for energizing the motor 77. Magnetic relay 153 can bemanually operated with switch 154 to energize the motor and therebyoperate the sweep 61 to move material off the belt 37. The sweep 61 islocated one one side of the belt 37 so that the material moving with thebelt will engage the sensor plate 63. As the pressure of the materialagainst the sensor plate 63 builds up, the plate will eventually move toclose the microswitch 98. This closes the circuit for the relay 153energizing motor 77. Motor 77 operates to drive the sweep 61 in thedirection of arrow 68 to push the material off the side of belt 37. Thesensor plate 63, being biased by spring 104, moves along with the sweep61 and out of engagement with the microswitch 98A. When the sweep 61approaches the side of the belt opposite the microswitch 98A, theactuator of the microswitch opens, thereby opening the circuit to therelay 153 for motor 77. The sweep 61 will now be positioned adjacent theopposite side of the belt, as shown in broken lines. In the event it isdesired to have sweep 61 returned to its initial position, as shown infull lines in FIG. 11, the switch 98A is bypassed, or remains closed, sothat only switch 98 is operable to control the operation of motor 77.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is shown the feeder 20 in a two feedlot arrangement, shown as lot A and lot B. The lots are defined by afence 155. The feeder 20 has a first switch mechanism indicatedgenerally at 156 located intermediate the length of the feeder adjacentthe end of lot A and a second switch mechanism indicated generally at157 at the end of lot B. Each switch mechanism has sensing plates whichcontrol microswitches.

Referring to FIG. 13, the circuit has a first manually operated switch159 located in parallel with microswitch 98 which can be closed tobypass the microswitch 98. A similar manually operated switch 161 islocated in parallel with microswitch 98B and is operable to bypass themicroswitch 98B. When switch 159 is closed, the sensing plate 63A isinoperative to energize the motor 77 to drive the sweep 61. The feed onbelt 37 will move by the sensor plate 63B until it reaches the switchmechanism 157. All of the feed on the belt is then moved with the sweep61 off the left side of the belt and is available to the cattle in feedlot B. With switches 159 and 161 open, the switch mechanism 156 isoperable to dump feed into lot A.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, there is shown the feeding apparatus 20 ina three feed lot arrangement. The feeder 20 extends longitudinallythrough lot A and lot B into lot C. The lots are defined by fence 162.The feeder has two switch mechanisms 163 and 164. Each switch mechanismactuates a relay 160A or 160B for a separate motor similar to motor 77for driving separate sections of sweep 61 and 61A. Switch mechanisms 163and 164 are identical in construction and follow the switch mechanismshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each switch mechanism has a pair of sensingplates 63 and 63A engageable with opposite sides of the sweeps 61 and61A, respectively. A manually operated switch 166 is interposed in linewith the microswitch 98A of the switch mechanism 163. When switch 166 isopen, the feeder operates to dispense feed into lots A and C. Lot B doesnot receive feed.

While there have been shown and described preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is understood that various changes additions and omissionsin the structure and circuits may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An apparatus for discharging material to a location comprising: an elongated support positioned adjacent the location to receive the material, said support having a plurality of end-to-end pan sections, each pan section having transverse ends and a top surface, an elongated belt slidably located on said top surface to carry material, means mounted on said pan sections engageable with said belt to elevate a portion of the belt from the top surface, said means including at least one transverse member projected upwardly from the support and engageable with the belt, said transverse member being located between adjacent ends of the two pan sections and mounted on said two pan sections, means to move the belt relative to the support, and means to move the material from the belt to said location.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said transverse member is an elongated plastic member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said means mounted on the pan sections include transverse members located between the adjacent ends of said pan sections, said transverse members each having a length longer than the width of the belt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said transverse member has transverse grooves to accommodate the adjacent ends of said pan sections.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said transverse member is a transverse plastic member having a transverse bead engageable with the belt.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said pan sections have side walls, said transverse member having ends engageable with the side walls to prevent transverse movement of the member relative to the pan sections.
 7. An apparatus for discharging material to a location comprising: an elongated support positioned adjacent the location to receive the material, said support including a plurality of pan sections located in end-to-end relation, each of said pan sections having opposite transverse ends, said walls, and top walls, an elongated belt slidably located on said top walls to carry material, means mounted on the support including transverse members located between the adjacent ends of said top walls of said pan sections to elevate portions of the belt from the top walls of the pan sections, said members having transverse grooves to accommodate said adjacent ends to prevent transverse movement of the members relative to the pan sections, means to move the belt relative to the top walls, and means to move the material from the belt to said location.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said transverse members are transverse plastic members having transverse beads engageable with the belt.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said pan sections have side walls, said transverse members having ends engageable with the side walls to prevent transverse movement of the members relative to the pan sections.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said belt is an endless belt having a top section supported on the top walls and a bottom section located below the top walls, and means for supporting the bottom section of the belt.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 including: means for securing adjacent portions of the pan sections together to hold the adjacent ends of the pan sections in the transverse grooves of the transverse members.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: each of said pan sections has inwardly directed ribs on the lower edges of said side walls, said belt having a portion engageable with said ribs.
 13. A material handling apparatus comprising: a plurality of end-to-end elongated support members, each support member having a first end and a second end, a first end of a first support member being located adjacent the second end of a second support member when the first and second support members are located in end-to-end position, an elongated belt movably located on said support members for carrying material, a belt engaging member located between said first and second ends of the first and second support members, said belt engaging member having means for mounting the belt engaging member on the first and second ends of the first and second support members, said belt engaging member having a portion projected away from the support members and engageable with a separate portion of the belt to elevate said separate portion of the belt from the support members.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said belt engaging member is an elongated plastic member.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said belt engaging member is a transverse plastic member having a transverse bead engageable with the belt.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein: said elongated support members have walls, said belt engaging member having ends engageable with said walls to prevent movement of the belt engaging member relative to the support members.
 17. A material handling apparatus comprising: a plurality of end-to-end elongated support members, each support member having ends, an elongated belt movably located on said support members for carrying material, belt engaging members located between said ends of adjacent support members and mounted on the adjacent support members, said belt engaging members having grooves to accommodate adjacent ends of said support members, said belt engaging members having portions projected away from the support members and engageable with separate portions of the belt to elevate said separate portions of the belt from the support members. 